Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing system

ABSTRACT

A system includes an information processing apparatus connected to a network to which are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a print server and a file server. The apparatus makes a first query to a first one of the plurality of printers concerning a printer language supported by the first printer and, when a first response identifying a printer language supported by the first printer in response to the first query is received, transmits to the first printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printer language identified by the first response. On the other hand, when the first response is not received, the apparatus makes a second query to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than the first printer concerning what printer languages are supported by the remaining printers, and instruction unit provides an instruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a second response received from at least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to printer control performed in a networkto which a plurality of printers are connected.

2. Related Background Art

Hitherto, printer control is performed in a network to which a pluralityof printers are connected in such a manner that a network printer whichis to perform a printing operation and a corresponding printer driverfor converting print data received from an application program to aprinter language are independently selected.

However, the above known type of printer control presents the followingproblems. If the printer language of a network printer which is toperform a printing operation does not match the printer language of theselected printer driver, the print data converted according to theprinter language which does not fit the network printer isdisadvantageously sent to the printer, thus causing incorrect characterconversion, which prevents a correct printing operation. Further, if anetwork printer is newly connected to a network, it is necessary that acorresponding new printer driver be installed in each of the clientcomputers on the network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in view of the above-described background, it is an objectof the present invention to achieve correct printing operationsperformed while printer languages for individual printers connected to anetwork are transparent to the user and also to eliminate the need forinstalling a printer driver into a client computer when a printer isnewly connected to a network.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of the preferredembodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system configuration by the applicationof a network print system according to first, second and thirdembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration ofthe client computer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the schematic configuration of the printershown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating print processing according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating print processing according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating print processing according to thethird embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating print processing according to thefourth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[First Embodiment]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system configuration formed by theapplication of a network print system according to first, second andthird embodiments of the present invention. It will now be assumed inFIG. 1 that n-number of printers and n-number of print servers areconnected to a network 600. Printers 200, 300 and 400 are respectivelyconnected to corresponding print servers 250, 350 and 450 by means ofprinter cables via interfaces (not shown), and convert print datareceived from the print servers 250, 350 and 450 to dot image data perpage to print it page by page.

A client computer 100 is connected to the network 600 by a network cablevia an interface (not shown). The client computer 100 is capable ofrunning various programs, such as application programs, and is loadedwith a printer driver which serves the function of sending to thenetwork 600 a print job represented by the printer languagecorresponding to the printer selected to print the data. The printerdriver is adapted to support a plurality of printer languages.

A file server 500, which is a computer loaded with a network operatingsystem (OS), is connected to the network 600 by a network cable via aninterface (unillustrated) so as to store files used in the network 600and monitor the use of the network 600. The filer server 500 alsocontains print queues 550 for temporarily storing print jobs sent to theindividual printers 200, 300 and 400. The number of the print queues 550corresponds to the number of the printers connected to the network 600.The print servers 250, 350 and 450, which are connected to the network600 by a network cable via an interface (unillustrated) and are alsoconnected to the printers 200, 300 and 400 by printer cables viainterfaces (not shown), sequentially send print job data to thecorresponding printers 200, 300 and 400 if there are any print jobsstored in the associated print queues 550.

In this manner, according to the first through third embodiments, thefunctions are shared by the client computer 100, the print servers 250,350 and 450, and the file server 500. This enhances the effective use ofthe client computer 100 and speeds up printing operations.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration ofthe client computer 100. A central processing unit (CPU) 101 runsprograms, such as application programs and printer driver programs,stored in an external memory 112, for example, a hard disk (HD) or afloppy disk (FD), connected to a disk controller (DKC) 107 so as totemporarily store in a RAM 102 information and files required forrunning the programs. The CPU 101 also controls various devicesconnected to a system bus 104.

A program ROM contained in a ROM 103 stores command information forrunning control programs, as illustrated by the flow charts of FIGS. 4,5 and 6, executed in the CPU 101. Font data used in the above-describeddocument processing is stored in a font ROM; and various data (forexample, template data) is stored in a data ROM. The RAM 102 serves as amain storage device and a work area for the CPU 101.

A keyboard controller (KBC) 105 controls inputs from a keyboard 110 andfrom a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 106 controlsthe display of a CRT display (CRT) 111. The disk controller (DKC) 107controls access to and from the external memory 112, such as a hard disk(HD) or a floppy disk (FD), which stores boot programs, applicationprograms, printer driver programs, font data, user files, edit files,etc.

An external input/output interface 108 serves as an interface throughwhich the printers 200, 300 and 400 are controlled via an external inputdevice 113 and the network 600. A printer controller (PRTC) 109equivalent to the aforedescribed printer driver serves the function oftransmitting to the network 600 a print job indicated by a printerlanguage corresponding to a printer selected among the printers 200, 300and 400 by an application program.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the schematic configuration ofeach of the printers 200, 300 and 400. In the first through thirdembodiments, laser beam printers (LBP) are used as the printers 200, 300and 400. However, other types of printers, such as bubble-jet printersand ink-jet printers, may be used as long as they have sufficient memorycapacity to develop print data to a dot image and perform printingoperations based on a predetermined printer language.

Contained in the printers 200, 300 and 400 shown in FIG. 3 is a printercontrol unit 230 for controlling the overall LBPs 200, 300 and 400 andalso for analyzing character information received from the print servers250, 350 and 450. A printer CPU 211 exercises overall control, based oncontrol programs stored in a program ROM of a ROM 213, of access toand-from various devices connected to a system bus 214 so as to outputan image signal as output information to a print section (printerengine) 218 connected to the system bus 214 via a print-sectioninterface 216. The control programs and other programs run by the CPU211 are stored, as described above, in the program ROM of the ROM 213.Font data used for generating the above output information is stored ina font ROM; and information used by the print servers 250, 350 and 450is stored in a data ROM if a printer without an external memory 219,such as a hard disk, is employed.

The CPU 211 is constructed to inform the print servers 250, 350 and 450of the information contained in the corresponding printers 200, 300 and400 via an input device 215. A RAM 212, which functions as a mainstorage device and a work area for the CPU 211, and its memory capacityis expandable by the use of an option RAM connected to an add-in port(not shown). The RAM 212 is used as an output-information expansionarea, an environment-data storage area, an a non-volatile RAM (NVRAM),or the like. A disk controller (DKC) 217 controls access to and from theabove-described external memory 219, such as a hard disk (HD) or an ICcard. The external memory 219 is removably connected as an option andstores font data, emulation programs, form data, etc. An operation unit201 contains various types of operation switches and LED displays.

The number of the aforedescribed external memory 219 is not restrictedto one, and a plurality of external memories 219 may be provided,connectable to a plurality of option cards in addition to built-infonts. The external memory 219 may be provided with an NVRAM(unillustrated) to store printer-mode setting information received fromthe operation unit 201.

The file server 500 is similar to the client computer 100 in itsinternal configuration as illustrated in FIG. 2. The file server 500manages the network 600 by storing files used in the network 600 in ahard disk (not shown). Moreover, the print queues 550 associated withthe printers 200, 300 and 400 are formed on the hard disk to temporarilystore print jobs received from the client computer 100 in the fileformat. More than one hard disk and one disk controller 217 may beprovided to ensure the reliability of the network 600.

The internal configurations of the print servers 250, 350 and 450 arealso similar to the construction of the client computer 100 shown inFIG. 2. If there is any print data stored in the print queues 550, theprint servers 250, 350 and 450 respectively extract the print jobs usingthe external input device 113 and respectively send the print data tothe printers 200, 300 and 400 through printer cables connected to theprinter controller (PRTC) 109. Computers are not necessarily used asprint servers 250, 350 and 450, and mere print server functions maysuffice. Alternatively, the print servers 250, 350 and 450 may be builtinto the corresponding printers 200, 300 and 400.

An explanation will now be given of the print processing in the firstembodiment with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 4. In thisembodiment, the program for executing print processing by the CPU 101 iscontained in the printer driver program, which is stored in a storagemedium, i.e., a floppy disk, through which the program is readable bythe computer. This program is then stored in an external memory, such asa hard disk. Alternatively, it may be stored in advance in the programROM of the ROM 103 contained in the client computer 100.

A storage medium for supplying program codes may use not only theabove-described floppy disk or the ROM, but also an optical disk, amagneto-optical disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, magnetic tape, anon-volatile memory card, or the like. With this arrangement, theprogram codes per se read from the storage medium can implement a novelfeature of the present invention, and thus, the storage medium forstoring such program codes can constitute the present invention.

A reference will first be made to FIG. 4. In SI, the CPU 101 of theclient computer 100 runs an application program to generate data to beprinted and stores it in the RAM 102 and in a hard disk. The CPU 101then suspends the processing of the application program and executes theprocessings in S2 and the following steps. More specifically, the CPU101 runs a printer driver program and makes a query about the printerlanguage supported by the printer selected from the printers 200, 300and 400 connected to the network 600 for performing a printingoperation. This query may be made to any of the corresponding printer,the print server, or the file server 500. It will now be assumed in thisembodiment that the printer selected for performing a printing operationwill be the printer 200. In S3, in response to the question asked in S2,the CPU 101 receives a reply concerning the printer language supportedby the printer 200 from the printer 200, the print server 250 or thefile server 500.

Then, the CPU 101 determines in S4 whether the received printer languageis contained in the printer languages supported by the printer driver.If the answer in S4 is yes, the flow proceeds to S5 in which the CPU 101converts the print data according to the printer language supported bythe printer 200 so that the printer 200 can interpret the data, andsends the converted data to the printer 200. In S6, the CPU 101 ends theprinter driver program and restarts the processing of the applicationprogram.

On the other hand, if it is found in S4 that the printer languagesupported by the printer 200 is not included in the printer languagessupported by the printer driver, the flow proceeds to S7 in which theCPU 101 displays a message indicating the above information on thedisplay and ends the printer driver program and restarts the processingof the application program.

In this manner, in the first embodiment, a query is made concerning theprinter language of the selected printer to the printer, the associatedprint server or the file server, and, upon receiving the answer, theprint data is sent in the form of the obtained printer language. Thus,the user is able to perform a correct printing operation While theprinter languages of the individual printers connected to the networkare transparent to the user.

[Second Embodiment]

Print processing of a second embodiment of the present invention willnow be described while referring to the flow chart of FIG. 5. In thisembodiment, the program for executing print processing by the CPU 101 iscontained in the printer driver program, which is stored in a storagemedium, i.e., a floppy disk, through which the program is readable bythe computer. This program is then stored in an external memory, such asa hard disk. Alternatively, it may be stored in advance in the programROM of the ROM 103 contained in the client computer 100.

In this embodiment, if the printer language supported by a selectedprinter is not notified by the printer, the corresponding print serveror the file server, the CPU 101 instructs the user to select anotherprinter by displaying a message indicating such an instruction.

More specifically, in S101 the CPU 101 of the client computer 100 runsan application program to generate data to be printed and stores it inthe RAM 102 and in a hard disk. Then, the CPU 101 suspends theprocessing of the application program and runs the printer driverprogram to control the processings in S102 and the following steps. Inthe interests of simplicity, in this embodiment, as well as in theprevious embodiment, the flow of this processing will be explained,assuming that the printer selected for printing is the printer 200.

In S102, the CPU 101 makes a query about the printer language supportedby the selected printer 200 to the printer 200, the print server 250 orthe file server 500 on the network 600. The CPU 101 then determines inS103 as to whether the printer language supported by the printer 200 hasbeen received, in response to the above query, from the printer 200, theprint server 250 or the file server 500. If the answer in S103 is yes,the flow proceeds to S104 in which the CPU 101 judges whether theprinter language is included in the printer languages which can beinterpreted by the printer driver stored in the external memory 112. Ifthe response in S104 is yes, the flow further proceeds to S105 in whichthe CPU 101 converts the print data to match the printer languagesupported by the printer 200 and sends the converted data to the printer200. Thereafter, in S106 the CPU 101 ends the printer driver program andrestarts the processing of the application program.

In contrast, if it is found by the CPU 101 in S104 that the printerlanguage supported by the printer 200 is not interpretable by theprinter driver program which executes the program, the flow proceeds toS108 in which the CPU 101 displays on the display that the printerlanguage of the printer 200 is not supported by the printer driver. TheCPU 101 then ends the printer driver program and restarts theapplication program.

Referring back to S103, if the CPU 101 judges that the printer languagesupported by the printer 200 has not been sent to the client computer100 from the printer 200, the print server 250 or the file server 500,the CPU 101 instructs the user to select another printer from theprinters 300 and 400 by displaying a message indicating the aboveinstruction. Then, the flow returns to S102.

According to the above description, in the second embodiment, if theprinter language is not obtained after making an inquiry about theprinter language of the selected printer to the printer, thecorresponding print server or the file server, a message is given to theuser to indicate that another printer should be selected. This makes itpossible for the user to recognize that the printer selected by the useris incorrect, thereby enhancing ease of use.

[Third Embodiment]

An explanation will now be given of print processing of a thirdembodiment with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 6. In thisembodiment, the program for executing print processing by the CPU 101 iscontained in the printer driver program, which is stored in a storagemedium, i.e., a floppy disk, through which the program is readable bythe computer. This program is then stored in an external memory, such asa hard disk. Alternatively, it may be stored in advance in the programROM of the ROM 103 contained in the client computer 100. For the purposeof brevity, in this embodiment, as well as in the foregoing embodiments,it will now be assumed that the printer 200 is determined as the printerselected for printing.

In this embodiment, if the printer language supported by the printer 200is not reported by the printer 200, the print server 250 or the fileserver 500, the printer languages of all of the other printers 300 and400 on the network 600 are checked and notified to the user, so that theuser can be instructed to choose another printer 300 or 400.

More specifically, in S201 the CPU 101 of the client computer 100 runsan application program to produce data to be printed and stores it inthe RAM 102 and in a hard disk. The CPU 101 then suspends the processingof the application program and runs the printer driver program tocontrol the processings in S202 and the following steps. Namely, in S202the CPU 101 which runs the printer driver program inquires as to theprinter language supported by the printer 200 to the printer 200, theprint server 250 or the file server 500 connected to the network 600.Subsequently, the CPU 101 makes a determination in S203 whether theprinter language supported by the printer 200 has been received, inresponse to the above question in S202, from the printer 200, the printserver 250 or the file server 500.

If the response in S203 is yes, the flow proceeds to S204 in which it isjudged as to whether the printer language is contained in the printerlanguages interpretable by the printer driver program. If the answer inS204 is yes, the flow further proceeds to S205 in which the print datais converted to match the printer language of the selected printer 200and sends the converted data to the printer 200. Then, in S206 the CPU101 ends the printer driver program and restarts the applicationprogram.

On the other hand, if the CPU 101 judges in S204 that the receivedprinter language is not interpretable by the printer driver program, theflow proceeds to S208 in which the CPU 101 displays on the display thatthe printer language is not supported by the printer driver. The CPU 101then ends the printer driver program and restarts the applicationprogram.

If it is found in S203 that the printer language supported by theprinter 200 has not been reported by the printer 200, the print server250 or the file server 500, the printer languages of all of the otherprinters 300 and 400 on the network 600 are checked and notified to theuser. An instruction is then provided to the user to select anotherprinter 300 or 400. The flow then returns to S202.

According to the above description, in this embodiment, if the printerlanguage is not reported after an inquiry is made about the printerlanguage supported by the selected printer to the printer, the printserver or the file server, the CPU 101 instructs the user to selectanother printer by displaying the printer languages of all of the otherprinters connected to the network. It is thus possible for the user toperform a printing operation with a desired printer even if the printerlanguages of the individual printers connected to the network aretotally unknown to the user.

As discussed above, according to this embodiment, a query is madeconcerning the printer language of the selected printer to the printer,the print server or the file server, and the print data is converted tomatch the received printer language and sent to the printer. This makesit possible to perform a correct printing operation while the printerlanguages of the individual printers connected to the network aretransparent to the user.

[Fourth Embodiment]

A description will now be given with reference to the flow chart of FIG.7 of print processing according to a fourth embodiment. In thisembodiment, if a network printer is newly connected to a network, aclient computer identifies the printer language supported by the newnetwork printer.

More specifically, the client computer 100 identifies a network printer700 (not shown) newly connected to the network 600 and inquires as tothis printer 700 about its printer language. In this embodiment, theclient computer 100 is adapted to store the devices, such as the printservers, the printer file server and the client computer, connected tothe network 600 in the storage means, such as the RAM 102 or theexternal memory 112.

In S301, the CPU 101 of the client computer 100 determines the presenceor absence of a new printer connected to the network 600 by inquiringabout management information base (MIB) information to the network 600.If the CPU 101 identifies, upon a determination in S302, the presence ofa new printer on the network 600, the flow proceeds to S303. If it isfound in S302 that the presence of a new printer is denied, the flowreturns to S301 by means such as providing a timer to count for apredetermined duration. Also, the processing in S301 may be executedonly when the user gives a command instruction through the clientcomputer 100.

In S303, the CPU 101 makes a query to the printer newly connected to thenetwork 600, i.e., the printer 700 in this embodiment, about its printerlanguage. It is then judged in S304 whether the printer languagesupported by the printer 700 has been sent in response to the abovequery. If the answer in S304 is yes, the flow proceeds to S305 in whicha determination is made as to whether the received printer language iscontained in the printer languages interpretable by the printer driverprogram. If the answer in S305 is yes, the flow further proceeds to S306in which the CPU 101 stores the printer identifying information, such asthe printer language supported by the printer 700, in the storage means,such as the external memory 112 or in the RAM 102 within the clientcomputer 100. The CPU 101 then ends this processing.

In contrast, if it is found in S304 that the printer language supportedby the printer 700 has not been sent in response to the question askedin S303, the CPU 101 displays in S307 on the display a messageindicating the presence of an unidentifiable printer and then ends thisprocessing.

If it is found in S305 that the received printer language is notinterpretable by the printer driver program, the CPU 101 displays inS308 a message indicating such information on the display so as to endthis processing.

According to the above description, in the fourth embodiment, the CPU101 checks whether there is any printer newly connected to the network,and if the answer is yes, a query is made to the printer about itsprinter language. In response to this question, if it is determined thatthe received printer language is interpretable by the printer driverwhich executes this program, printer information, for example, theprinter language, is stored in storage means within the client computer.This can obviate the need for the user to install a printer drivercompatible with the new printer into the client computer.

As will be clearly understood from the foregoing description, thepresent invention offers the following advantages. Even if a printer isnewly connected to a network, there is no need for the user to install aprinter driver compatible with the new printer into all of the clientcomputers on the network. Instead, the client computer can automaticallydetermine whether a printer is newly connected to the network andfurther identify printer information, such as the printer languagesupported by the new printer, and store it in the client computer.

While the present invention has been described with reference to whatare presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to beaccorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all suchmodifications and equivalent structures and functions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus connected toa network to which are also connected a plurality of printers and aserver apparatus provided with a print queue, the server apparatus beingone of a print server and a file server, said information processingapparatus comprising: first inquiry means for making a first query to afirst one of the plurality of printers concerning a printer languagesupported by the first printer; transmission means for, when a firstresponse identifying a printer language supported by the first printerin response to the first query is received by said informationprocessing apparatus, transmitting to the first printer print dataconverted to be interpretable by the printer language identified by thefirst response; second inquiry means for, when the first response is notreceived, making a second query to the remaining ones of the pluralityof printers other than the first printer concerning what printerlanguages are supported by the remaining printers; and instruction meansfor providing an instruction to select one of the remaining printersbased on a second response received from at least one of the remainingprinters in response to the second query.
 2. An information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first inquiry means makes aquery to an additional printer when the additional printer is newlyconnected to the network.
 3. An information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing anidentification of the printer language received in response to the firstquery made by said first inquiry means.
 4. An information processingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising distinguishing meansfor distinguishing when an additional printer is newly connected to thenetwork, wherein said first inquiry means makes a query when theadditional printer is newly connected to the network.
 5. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising storagemeans for storing an identification of the printer language received inresponse to the first query made by said first inquiry means.
 6. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidtransmission means transmits via the print queue the print data.
 7. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidinstruction means provides the instruction by displaying a message. 8.An information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein saidinstruction means provides the instruction by displaying a messageindicating that another printer is to be selected.
 9. An informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said instructionmeans provides the instruction by displaying all of the printerlanguages supported by all of the printers connected to the network. 10.An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein boththe print server and the file server are connected to the network, saidfirst inquiry means makes a query concerning the printer language to oneof the plurality of printers selected to perform a printing operation,the print server and the file server.
 11. An information processingmethod in an information processing apparatus connected to a network towhich are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatusprovided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a printserver and a file server, said method comprising: a first inquiry stepof making a first query to a first one of the plurality of printersconcerning a printer language supported by the first printer; atransmission step of, when a first response identifying a printerlanguage supported by the first printer in response to the first queryis received by the information processing apparatus, transmitting to thefirst printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printerlanguage identified by the first response; a second inquiry step of,when the first response is not received, making a second query to theremaining ones of the plurality of printers other than the first printerconcerning what printer languages are supported by the remainingprinters; and an instruction step of providing an instruction to selectone of the remaining printers based on a second response received fromat least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.12. An information processing method according to claim 11, wherein saidfirst inquiry step makes a query to an additional printer when theadditional printer is newly connected to the network.
 13. An informationprocessing method according to claim 11, further comprising a storagestep of storing an identification of the printer language received inresponse to the first query made in said first inquiry step.
 14. Aninformation processing method according to claim 11, wherein saidinstruction step provides the instruction by displaying a message. 15.An information processing method according to claim 14, wherein saidinstruction step provides the instruction by displaying a messageindicating that another printer is to be selected.
 16. An informationprocessing method according to claim 14, wherein said instruction stepprovides the instruction by displaying all of the printer languagessupported by all of the printers connected to the network.
 17. Aninformation processing method according to claim 11, wherein said firstinquiry step makes a query, in the network having both the print serverand the file server, concerning the printer language to one of theplurality of printers selected to perform a printing operation, theprint server and the file server.
 18. An information processing systemincluding an information processing apparatus connected to a network towhich are also connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatusprovided with a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a printserver and a file server, said information processing apparatuscomprising: first inquiry means for making a first query to a first oneof the plurality of printers concerning a printer language supported bythe first printer; transmission means for, when a first responseidentifying a printer language supported by the first printer inresponse to the first query is received by said information processingapparatus, transmitting to the first printer print data converted to beinterpretable by the printer language identified by the first response;second inquiry means for, when the first response is not received,making a second query to the remaining ones of the plurality of printersother than the first printer concerning what printer languages aresupported by the remaining printers; and instruction means for providingan instruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a secondresponse received from at least one of the remaining printers inresponse to the second query.
 19. An information processing systemaccording to claim 18, wherein said first inquiry means makes a query toan additional printer when the additional printer is newly connected tothe network.
 20. An information processing system according to claim 18,said information processing apparatus further comprising storage meansfor storing an identification of the printer language received inresponse to the first query made by said first inquiry means.
 21. Aninformation processing system according to claim 18, said informationprocessing apparatus further comprising distinguishing means fordistinguishing when an additional printer is newly connected to thenetwork, wherein said first inquiry means makes a query when theadditional printer is newly connected to the network.
 22. An informationprocessing system according to claim 21, said information processingapparatus further comprising storage means for storing an identificationof the printer language received in response to the first query made bysaid first inquiry means.
 23. An information processing system accordingto claim 18, wherein said transmission means transmits via the printqueue the print data.
 24. An information processing system according toclaim 18, wherein said instruction means provides the instruction bydisplaying a message.
 25. An information processing system according toclaim 24, wherein said instruction means provides the instruction bydisplaying a message indicating that another printer is to be selected.26. An information processing system according to claim 24, wherein saidinstruction means provides the instruction by displaying all of theprinter languages supported by all of the printers connected to thenetwork.
 27. A storage medium for storing a program readable by acomputer, said program executing an information processing method in aninformation processing apparatus connected to a network to which arealso connected a plurality of printers and a server apparatus providedwith a print queue, the server apparatus being one of a print server anda file server, said method comprising: a first inquiry step of making afirst query to a first one of the plurality of printers concerning aprinter language supported by the first printer; a transmission step of,when a first response identifying a printer language supported by thefirst printer in response to the first query is received by theinformation processing apparatus, transmitting to the first printerprint data converted to be interpretable by the printer languageidentified by the first response; a second inquiry step of, when thefirst response is not received, making a second query to the remainingones of the plurality of printers other than the first printerconcerning what printer languages are supported by the remainingprinters; and an instruction step of providing an instruction to selectone of the remaining printers based on a second response received fromat least one of the remaining printers in response to the second query.28. A storage medium according to claim 27, wherein said first inquirystep makes a query to an additional printer when the additional printeris newly connected to the network.
 29. A storage medium according toclaim 27, said method further comprising a storage step of storing anidentification of the printer language received in response to the firstquery made in said first inquiry step.
 30. A storage medium according toclaim 27, wherein said instruction step provides the instruction bydisplaying a message.
 31. A storage medium according to claim 30,wherein said instruction step provides the instruction by displaying amessage indicating that another printer is to be selected.
 32. A storagemedium according to claim 30, wherein said instruction step provides theinstruction by displaying all of the printer languages supported by allof the printers connected to the network.
 33. A storage medium accordingto claim 27, wherein said first inquiry step makes a query, in thenetwork having both the print server and the file server, concerning theprinter language to one of the plurality of printers selected to performa printing operation, the print server and the file server.
 34. Aninformation processing apparatus connected to a plurality of printers,comprising: inquiry means for making a first query to a first printerconcerning a printer language supported by the first printer; andcontrol means for controlling said information processing apparatus toselectively perform one of plural operations in response to a result ofthe first query, a first one of the operations being to convert printdata so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by thefirst printer and to output such converted data to the first printer,and a second one of the operations being to cause said inquiry means tomake a second query to a second printer on a network concerning aprinter language supported by the second printer, wherein the secondprinter does not receive the first query.
 35. An apparatus according toclaim 34, further comprising output means for converting the print dataso as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the secondprinter and for outputting such converted print data to the secondprinter.
 36. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said inquirymeans makes a query when a printer is newly connected to saidinformation processing apparatus.
 37. An apparatus according to claim34, further comprising storage means for storing information of thesupported printer language in response to each inquiry by said inquirymeans.
 38. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said informationprocessing apparatus is connected to a plurality of second printers. 39.An apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising instruction meansfor providing an instruction to select one printer from the plurality ofsecond printers on the basis of a result of the second query.
 40. Anapparatus according to claim 39, wherein said instruction means providesan instruction to select a printer except the first printer bydisplaying a message.
 41. An apparatus according to claim 40, whereinsaid instruction means provides an instruction to select another printerby displaying a message to select another printer.
 42. An apparatusaccording to claim 40, wherein said instruction means provides aninstruction to select another printer by displaying all printerlanguages which are supported by all printers connected to the network.43. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said control meanscauses said inquiry means to make the second query to the second printerin an absence of any response to the first query being received from thefirst printer.
 44. An information processing method operative in aninformation processing apparatus connected to a plurality of printers,comprising: an inquiry step of making a first query to a first printerconcerning a printer language supported by the first printer; and acontrol step of controlling the information processing apparatus toselectively perform one of plural operations in response to a result ofthe first query, a first one of the operations being to convert printdata so as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by thefirst printer and to output such converted data to the first printer,and a second one of the operations being to cause said inquiry step tomake a second query to a second printer on a network concerning aprinter language supported by the second printer, wherein the secondprinter does not receive the first query.
 45. A method according toclaim 44, further comprising an output step of converting the print dataso as to be interpreted by the printer language supported by the secondprinter and outputting such converted print data to the second printer.46. A method according to claim 44, wherein said inquiry step makes aquery when a printer is newly connected to the information processingapparatus.
 47. A method according to claim 44, further comprising astorage step of storing information of the supported printer language inresponse to each inquiry by said inquiry step.
 48. A method according toclaim 44, wherein the information processing apparatus is connected to aplurality of second printers.
 49. A method according to claim 48,further comprising an instruction step of providing an instruction toselect one printer from the plurality of second printers on the basis ofa result of the second query.
 50. A method according to claim 49,wherein said instruction step provides an instruction to select aprinter except the first printer by displaying a message.
 51. A methodaccording to claim 50, wherein said instruction step provides aninstruction to select another printer by displaying a message to selectanother printer.
 52. A method according to claim 50, wherein saidinstruction step provides an instruction to select another printer bydisplaying all printer languages which are supported by all printersconnected to the network.
 53. A method according to claim 50, whereinsaid control step causes said inquiry step to make the second query tothe second printer in an absence of any response to the first querybeing received from the first printer.
 54. A computer readable storagemedium storing a program for executing an information processing methodoperative in an information processing apparatus connected to aplurality of printers, said method comprising: an inquiry step of makinga first query to a first printer concerning a printer language supportedby the first printer; and a control step of controlling the informationprocessing apparatus to selectively perform one of plural operations inresponse to a result of the first query, a first one of the operationsbeing to convert the print data so as to be interpreted by the printerlanguage supported by the first printer and to output such converteddata to the first printer, and a second one of the operations being tocause said inquiry step to make a second query to a second printer on anetwork concerning a printer language supported by the second printer,wherein the second printer does not receive the first query.
 55. Amedium according to claim 54, said method further comprising an outputstep of converting the print data so as to be interpreted by the printerlanguage supported by the second printer and outputting such convertedprint data to the second printer.
 56. A medium according to claim 54,wherein said inquiry step makes a query when a printer is newlyconnected to the information processing apparatus.
 57. A mediumaccording to claim 54, said method further comprising a storage step ofstoring information of the supported printer language in response toeach inquiry by said inquiry step.
 58. A medium according to claim 54,wherein the information processing apparatus is connected to a pluralityof such second printers.
 59. A medium according to claim 58, said methodfurther comprising an instruction step of providing an instruction toselect one printer from the plurality of second printers on the basis ofa result of the second query.
 60. A medium according to claim 59,wherein said instruction step provides an instruction to select aprinter except the first printer by displaying a message.
 61. A mediumaccording to claim 60, wherein said instruction step provides aninstruction to select another printer by displaying a message to selectanother printer.
 62. A medium according to claim 60, wherein saidinstruction step provides an instruction to select another printer bydisplaying all printer languages which are supported by all printersconnected to the network.
 63. A medium according to claim 60, whereinsaid control step causes said inquiry step to make the second query tothe second printer in an absence of any response to the first querybeing received from the first printer.
 64. An information processingapparatus connected to a network to which are also connected a pluralityof printers and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, theserver apparatus being one of a print server and a file server, saidinformation processing apparatus comprising: a first inquiry circuitarranged to make a first query to a first one of the plurality ofprinters concerning a printer language supported by the first printer; atransmitter arranged to, when a first response identifying a printerlanguage supported by the first printer in response to the first queryis received by said information processing apparatus, transmit to thefirst printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printerlanguage identified by the first response; a second inquiry circuitarranged to, when the first response is not received, make a secondquery to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than thefirst printer concerning what printer languages are supported by theremaining printers; and a control circuit arranged to provide aninstruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a secondresponse received from at least one of the remaining printers inresponse to the second query.
 65. An information processing apparatusaccording to claim 64, wherein said first inquiry circuit makes a queryto an additional printer when the additional printer is newly connectedto the network.
 66. An information processing apparatus according toclaim 64, further comprising a memory arranged to store anidentification of the printer language received in response to the firstquery made by said first inquiry circuit.
 67. An information processingapparatus according to claim 64, further comprising a distinguishingcircuit arranged to distinguish when an additional printer is newlyconnected to the network, wherein said first inquiry circuit makes aquery when the additional printer is newly connected to the network. 68.An information processing apparatus according to claim 67, furthercomprising a memory arranged to store an identification of the printerlanguage received in response to the first query made by said firstinquiry circuit.
 69. An information processing apparatus according toclaim 64, wherein said transmitter transmits via the print queue theprint data.
 70. An information processing apparatus according to claim64, wherein said control circuit provides the instruction by displayinga message.
 71. An information processing apparatus according to claim70, wherein said control circuit provides the instruction by displayinga message indicating that another printer is to be selected.
 72. Aninformation processing apparatus according to claim 70, wherein saidcontrol circuit provides the instruction by displaying all of theprinter languages supported by all of the printers connected to thenetwork.
 73. An information processing apparatus according to claim 64,wherein both the print server and the file server are connected to thenetwork, and said first inquiry circuit makes a query concerning theprinter language to one of the printer selected to perform a printingoperation, the print server, and the file server.
 74. An informationprocessing system including an information processing apparatusconnected to a network to which are also connected a plurality ofprinters and a server apparatus provided with a print queue, the serverapparatus being one of a print server and a file server, saidinformation processing apparatus comprising: a first inquiry circuitarranged to make a first query to a first one of the plurality ofprinters concerning a printer language supported by the first printer; atransmitter arranged to, when a first response identifying a printerlanguage supported by the first printer in response to the first queryis received by said information processing apparatus, transmit to thefirst printer print data converted to be interpretable by the printerlanguage identified by the first response; a second inquiry circuitarranged to, when the first response is not received, make a secondquery to the remaining ones of the plurality of printers other than thefirst printer concerning what printer languages are supported by theremaining printers; and a control circuit arranged to provide aninstruction to select one of the remaining printers based on a secondresponse received from at least one of the remaining printers inresponse to the second query.
 75. An information processing systemaccording to claim 74, wherein said first inquiry circuit makes a queryto an additional printer when the additional printer is newly connectedto the network.
 76. An information processing system according to claim74, the information processing apparatus further comprising a memoryarranged to store an identification of the printer language received inresponse to the first query made by said first inquiry circuit.
 77. Aninformation processing system according to claim 74, wherein theinformation processing apparatus further comprises a distinguishingcircuit arranged to distinguish when an additional printer is newlyconnected to the network, and wherein said first inquiry circuit makes aquery when the additional printer is newly connected to the network. 78.An information processing system according to claim 77, wherein theinformation processing apparatus further comprises a memory arranged tostore an identification of the printer language received in response tothe first query made by said first inquiry circuit.
 79. An informationprocessing system according to claim 74, wherein said transmittertransmits via the print queue the print data.
 80. An informationprocessing system according to claim 74, wherein said control circuitprovides the instruction by displaying a message.
 81. An informationprocessing system according to claim 80, wherein said control circuitprovides the instruction by displaying a message indicating that anotherprinter is to be selected.
 82. An information processing systemaccording to claim 80, wherein said control circuit provides theinstruction by displaying all of the printer languages supported by allof the printers connected to the network.
 83. An information processingapparatus connected to a plurality of printers, comprising: an inquirycircuit arranged to make a first query to a first printer concerning aprinter language supported by the first printer; and a controllerarranged to control said information processing apparatus to selectivelyperform one of plural operations in response to a result of the firstquery, a first one of the operations being to convert print data so asto be interpreted by the printer language supported by the first printerand to output such converted data to the first printer, and a second oneof the operations being to cause said inquiry circuit to make a secondquery to a second printer on a network concerning a printer languagesupported by the second printer, wherein the second printer does notreceive the first query.
 84. An apparatus according to claim 83, furthercomprising an output circuit arranged to convert the print data so as tobe interpreted by the printer language supported by the second printerand to output such converted print data to the second printer.
 85. Anapparatus according to claim 83, wherein said inquiry circuit makes aquery when a printer is newly connected to said information processingapparatus.
 86. An apparatus according to claim 83, further comprising amemory arranged to store information of the supported printer languagein response to each inquiry by said inquiry circuit.
 87. An apparatusaccording to claim 83, wherein said information processing apparatus isconnected to a plurality of second printers, and the second printer isone of the plurality of second printers.
 88. An apparatus according toclaim 87, further comprising a control circuit arranged to provide aninstruction to select the second printer from the plurality of secondprinters based on a result of the second query.
 89. An apparatusaccording to claim 88, wherein said control circuit provides aninstruction to select a printer except the first printer by displaying amessage.
 90. An apparatus according to claim 89, wherein said controlcircuit provides an instruction to select another printer by displayinga message to select another printer.
 91. An apparatus according to claim89, wherein said control circuit provides an instruction to selectanother printer by displaying all printer languages which are supportedby all printers connected to the network.
 92. An apparatus according toclaim 89, wherein said controller causes said inquiry circuit to makethe second query to the second printer in an absence of any response tothe first query being received from the first printer.